Reviews the effects of prenatal exposure to the following: (1) cigarettes; (2) alcohol; (3) heroin; (4) narcotics; (5) marijuana; and (6) cocaine. Also discussed are the effects of exposure to multiple drugs and research issues in assessing drug effects. The importance of environment in long-term outcome is emphasized. (SLD)

Discusses drug-exposed infants from the perspective of a juvenile court judge. Experience in Los Angeles County (California) illustrates the following common problems in the juvenile courts: (1) high court caseload; (2) lack of legal representation and overloaded case workers; and (3) lack of resources mandated by law. (SLD)

A discussion of sexuality and college students looks at these issues: sexual communication and self-image; sexual orientation; the "virginity burden" syndrome; communicable diseases and pregnancy; sexual abuse and rape; alcohol and sex; and condom use. Student comments are included. (MSE)

Discusses population education efforts to help people understand the nature, causes, and implications of population processes. Includes current regional emphases, formal programs, management and administration, and future issues. Emphasizes basic concepts such as respect for others, especially for females, self-respect and self esteem, the…

Presents a multisystemic approach to adolescent pregnancy, describing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. The article explains health educators' roles in establishing multisystemic programs in primary prevention environments and describes a multisystemic theoretical model of adolescent pregnancy that utilizes interpersonal, family, and…

Examines teenage decision making for resolution of an unplanned pregnancy and the predictors of both the initial plan and the consistency of the adoption plan. Data from 162 pregnant adolescents reveal that the mother's preference strongly predicts the initial plan, and the birthfather's preference affects the consistency of adoption. (GLR)

Provides research-based answers to questions commonly posed by educators, parents, and others about the philosophy, methods, and impact of school sexual health education, discussing such issues as: whether these school programs are needed, what values they teach, whether the programs should teach about sexual orientation and abstinence, and…

Data are used from African American families in impoverished Chicago neighborhoods to address two questions: How well do modeling, supervision, and marital transition hypotheses explain the relationship between family structure and early sexual debut and pregnancy? Do higher levels of social support from parents and neighborhood adults decrease…

Neuromaturation is the functional development of the central nervous system (CNS). It is by its very nature a dynamic process, a continuous interaction between the genome and first the intrauterine environment, then the extrauterine environment. Understanding neuromaturation and being able to measure it is fundamental to infant neurodevelopmental…

Context: Rural Appalachian women living in poverty have a high prevalence of prenatal smoking; yet, few studies have examined this issue. Purpose: To investigate the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of prenatal smokers and nonsmokers in low-socioeconomic status, rural Appalachian 2-parent families. Methods: During an 18-month period,…

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are characterized by cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and social disabilities. FASD are complex and pose many challenges for clinicians and researchers in the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention process. The variations in amount, timing, and frequency of alcohol that is consumed during pregnancy can…

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a theory of maternal postpartum role collapse. The influences of traditional role theory and symbolic interactionism are presented. The development of the maternal postpartum role collapse theory emerged from the study of postpartum depression among African-American women (Amankwaa, 2000).…

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) has been linked to a wide variety of adverse psychological and behavioral outcomes. This paper describes girls' sexual development in the inner city based on qualitative material from a long-term ethnographic (observational) study. For many inner-city girls, early and then continued experiences of being compelled to have…

Since the time of Kinsey, sexuality education courses in colleges across the country have drawn large numbers of co-eds to their rosters. As educators move beyond discussions about the facts of anatomy, physiology, and biology, they increasingly look to technological advances to further the art of teaching. Taking a conversational approach to…

Little is known about Hispanic teens' sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors and their relationship to media influences. Information about this relationship could contribute to an understanding of the early onset of sexual behavior and early teen pregnancy. This paper reports preliminary findings from a pilot project conducted to determine…